Funeral Service for Derek Travis Runnels, 42 of Watertown, SD will be held on Monday, September 24, 2012 at 10:00 AM at St. John's Episcopal Church, Browns Valley, SD with the Rev. Charles Chan and John Cloud III Senior Catechist Officiating. The drum group will be Grey Fox Drum Group. Pallbearers will be Cody Runnels, Anthony McKinney, Sylvanus Flute Jr., Charles St. John, Saville Flute, and Sonny Zephier. Honorary Pallbearers will be Jake BlackSmith, Vic Runnels, Larry Finley, Dan Barsness, Mark Arnell, Paul Spolan, Craig McKinney, Sylvan Flute, Damien Flute, and Spencer Dewly. Interment will be in St. John's Episcopal Cemetery, Browns Valley, SD. Wake Services will be held on Saturday, and Sunday at 7:00 PM at the Sisseton Wahpeton Community Center, Agency Village, SD. The Cahill Funeral Chapel, Sisseton, SD is in charge of arrangements.
Derek Travis Runnels was born on September 7, 1970 in Sisseton, SD to Lonnie and Lily (Horn) Runnels. He attended school In Browns Valley and received his GED at Springfield. He received a certificate for completing a Horticulture Class. Derek was united in marriage to Carole Shwartz on March 21, 2007 in Watertown, SD. They made their home in Milbank, SD before moving to Watertown, SD in January 2012. He had his flight instructor Certificate. He spoke the Dakota language fluently. He liked traveling, music, reading, got caught up in movies, cook outs, picnics, walking, bead and leather work. He enjoyed flying his powdered parachute. He was a humorous person and like joking around. Derek passed away on September 18, 2012 at his home in Watertown.
Derek is survived by his wife, Carole Runnels of Watertown, SD; his mother, Lily Runnels of Watertown, SD; two brothers, Daris Runnels and Lonnie Runnels II of Watertown, SD; four sisters, Lydia McKinney of Watertown, SD, Sara Runnels of Chicago, IL, Londa Runnels and Lucinda Runnels of Watertown, SD; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Derek was preceded in death by his father, and grandparents, Morgan Eli Horn and Grace LaBelle.